In the high-flying, physically demanding world of contemporary circus, a tender love story took flight between two performers, beginning with a shared passion for something surprisingly mundane: condiments. This is the tale of Alyssa Moore and Jacob Randell, whose secret romance blossomed on the international tour circuit before evolving into a lasting partnership.
From Distant Admiration to Centre Stage
The pair first crossed paths in 2010 at a circus festival in Bathurst. Alyssa, then in her final year of high school, recalls being impressed by Jake's troupe from Adelaide. Their professional paths converged years later when Alyssa, now a trained graduate from the National Institute of Circus Arts, seized the chance to audition for Jake's acclaimed company, Gravity & Other Myths. After a tentative Zoom interview, she landed a month-long contract and flew to join the troupe in Austria in December 2018.
Life on tour forged a quick, platonic bond. "We bonded over a shared love of condiments," Alyssa explains, noting they often split meals after shows due to similar tastes. Within the intimate touring bubble, Alyssa gravitated towards Jake's buoyant humour and energy, though she was in a relationship back in Australia at the time.
The Secret Rendezvous Under a Parisian Bridge
After her relationship ended, Jake made his interest known, shifting their dynamic. The connection turned romantic during the 2019 tour in California. Fearing professional complications, they chose to keep their fledgling romance a secret from the rest of the company.
This secrecy led to cinematic moments, most memorably in Paris during a bitter winter. "Huddled under a spooky bridge by the Canal de l’Ourcq we were like two little penguins," Alyssa recalls. Despite freezing temperatures and exhaustion after performances, they would steal hours together, talking and laughing in their hidden world.
From Global Tour to Domestic Life
Fate intervened at the start of 2020. As the world shut down due to the pandemic, the couple found themselves headed back to Australia for what became an extended stay. Alyssa moved straight into Jake's Adelaide apartment, transitioning their showmance into a domestic reality.
"Taking our relationship from showmance to what it is now was really organic," Alyssa reflects. The intense years of touring had meant they knew each other profoundly before ever sharing a home. While they still tour for most of the year and continue their tradition of splitting meals, they now spend less time hiding under bridges.
Their story continues both on and off stage. Alyssa Moore and Jacob Randell will be performing in Gravity & Other Myths’ ‘Ten Thousand Hours’ at Arts Centre Melbourne from 13 to 25 January, a testament to a partnership that soared from a secret to the spotlight.
